17 May 2024

By HE Cao Xiaolin, Ambassador of People's Republic of China to State of Qatar

The world is undergoing profound changes that haven’t been seen for a centenary, and is facing a new period of turbulence and transformation, with hot-spot issues, conflicts and challenges intertwined. But the overall direction of human development and progress will not change. More and more countries are devoted to building a shared future for the international community by forging strong state-to-state relationships.

The strategic partnership between China and Qatar has set a role model for this relationship. Under the strategic stewardship of HE President Xi Jinping and HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, this partnership is now at its best in history. Our cordial friendship has taken deep roots among the two peoples and the cooperation has reaped fruitful outcomes in various fields.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of this strategic partnership. Some important experiences from the development of our diplomatic ties can help chart the way forward.

First, both China and Qatar uphold equality. China and Qatar have different history and culture, but the two countries respect each other, follow a development path suited to our national conditions, firmly support each other in safeguarding our respective sovereignty, security and development interests, and keep our future firmly in our own hands.

Second, both China and Qatar uphold mutual trust and mutual assistance. Mutual trust is the foundation for the strategic partnership. China and Qatar have cemented political mutual trust over the past years, and will continue to firmly support each other’s core interests and major concerns.

Third, both China and Qatar uphold win-win cooperation. China has been Qatar’s biggest trading partners over the past four years. The two countries have expanded cooperation in various fields within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and forge synergy between BRI and Qatar National Vision 2030. China’s modernization will surely bring more opportunities to Qatar and other countries in the world. China welcomes Qatar to become a companion on the Chinese path to modernization. This cooperation is in the fundamental interests of both the Chinese people and the Qatari people.

Fourth, both China and Qatar uphold fairness and justice. The China-Qatar strategic partnership stands on the right side of history. The two states hold similar views on the war on Gaza and have called on all parties to exercise restraint and worked hard to deescalate the situation. Our strategic partnership will make more positive contributions to the cause of peace and development of mankind.

What comes out more important as an experience from the China-Qatar strategic partnership is the firm adherence of the one-China principle by the Qatari Government, to which the Chinese Government appreciates very much.

Every country has its core national interests, such as its national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the continued stable development of its economy and society.

The one-China principle is at the core of China’s core national interests, and constitutes the political foundation of the bilateral relationship between China and the countries which have diplomatic ties with China. There is but one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. The Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. This is an undeniable fact, a universal consensus of the international community and a basic norm in international relations.

United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, which was adopted at its 26^th Session in 1971, stated unequivocally that it “decides to restore all its rights to the People’s Republic of China and to recognize the representatives of its Government as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations, and to expel forthwith the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek from the place which they unlawfully occupy at the United Nations and in all the organizations related to it.”

The UNGA Resolution 2758 made it clear that the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, including Taiwan, at the UN; Taiwan is not a country but a part of China’s territory. It makes clear Taiwan’s status as a non-sovereign entity. The resolution resolved once and for all politically, legally and procedurally the issue of the representation of the whole of China, including Taiwan, at the UN. The resolution also made clear that there can only be one seat representing China at the UN and precluded the possibility of “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan.”

Since the adoption of the resolution, the one-China principle has been observed by the UN and its specialized agencies on the Taiwan question. Taiwan is referred to as “Taiwan, province of China” in all UN’s official documents. It was clearly stated in the official legal opinions of the Office of Legal Affairs of the UN Secretariat that “the United Nations considers ‘Taiwan’ as a province of China with no separate status,” and the “‘authorities’ in ‘Taipei’ are not considered to enjoy any form of government status.”

The Taiwan region’s participation in the activities of international organizations must and can only be handled in accordance with the one-China principle. The United Nations is an intergovernmental international organization composed of sovereign states. Taiwan, a province of China, has no basis, reason or right to join the UN or its relevant agencies. This is stipulated in the UN Charter and is the principle that all UN member states must follow and an obligation that they should fulfill.

China highly appreciates the firm support from Qatar on the one-China principle. With this important principle as a solid basis, the China-Qatar strategic partnership will focus on the strategic nature, open up new prospects for common development, win-win cooperation and mutual success for the benefit of both the Chinese people and Qatari people, and for lasting peace, prosperity and stability of the world.

(the author is the Chinese Ambassador to Qatar)